Western regional research laboratory : list of patents

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

March, 1949

United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Administration
Eureau of Agricultural and Industrial .Chemistry
WESTERN REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
800 Buchanan St.
Albany 6, California

List of Patents

The patents listed below are available for licensing, on a„ royalty-free basis.
..hose marked "Dedicated" have been dedicated to the'. people of the. United States
y the inventors and require no licenses. The others . have been assigned to the
nited States Government as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture and are
available for licensing on a royalty-free, non-exclusive, revocable, and non-
transferable basis. Applications for licensing should be directed. to. the U. S.
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial- Chemistry,
"Washington 25, D. C. Further information on any of these patents, can be ob-
tained at the Western Regional Research Laboratory.

Copies of the patents can be obtained only from the Commissioner of Patents,
Washington, D. C. at 25 cents., each.

Food1 Freed s sing

Patent 2,403,923 to G. T. Hemmeter. Device for Peeling Agricultural Products.
Patented July 16, 194-6. Device consists essentially'; of a furnace through which
agricultural products, potatoes for example, arc conveyed. A mechanism is pro-
vided to tur.ble the products in their passage through- the furnace whereby the"
entire- surface is exposed to radiant heat to char skin. Charred skin is readily
removed by water sprays. _

Patent 2,445,299 to M. K. Boggs and H< L. Fevoldv Dried Egg Powder. Patented
July 13, 1943. Patent describes process of preparing dried egg powder of
superior shelf life and aeration properties. Process involves adding an acid
to the egg emulsion, drying the acidified emulsion, then adding dry sodium bi-
carbonate to the dry, acidified egg emulsion. "iVhen the resulting powder is mixed
with water for re constitution and ultimate use,, the bicarbonate neutralizes the
p.ci-1 added previous to drying.

Patent 2,445,381 to G. T. Kommetor. Apparatus for Peeling Onions, Including a
Conical J^t of Gas. Patented July 27, 1943. Patent describes apparatus for
pooling onions which involves subjecting onions to a conical, diverging, hollow
jet of gas whereby the gas impinging on the surface of the onion first loosens
the skin and then tears it away from the onion.

Patent 2,459,431 to G. Johnson and M. U, Boggs. Cold Processed Fruit Spread.
Patented- Jan. 18, 1949. Patent describes preparation of a gelled fruit product
•'Useful as a dessert or as a spread which retains the fresh flavor of the fruit.
Retention of fresh fruit flavor is obtained by avoiding the elevated tempera-
tures which arc- customary In production of ordinary jellies.

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Poctin

Patent 2,375,376 to lis. D. Maclay and J. P. Nielsen. Method of Extracting
P ictinous Materials, Patented May 3, 194-5. Improved method of extracting pectin
iron plant materials such as citrus peel, sugar beets, etc. which involves adding
an alkali no ta phosphate or alkali polyphosphate to the extracting solution.
Process allows complete extraction in a short period of tine.

Patent 2,386,323 to H. Lineweavor and R. M. McCready, Method for Accelerating
the alkaline Dc -ester if icat ion of Pectin. Patented Oct, 9, 194-5. Improvement
in the alkaline de -ester if ication of pectin to produce pectinic acids wherein
a salt, such as sodium chloride, is added to the reaction mixture. The reaction
is accelerated by addition of the salt. Invention permits use of mild alkali
ahercby degradation of pectin is avoided.

Patent 2, 444-, 266 to K, S. Owens and W, D. Maclay. Pectic Materials and Method , of
Preparing Same, Patento'l June 29, 1948. This patent claims method of preparing
low-mothoxyl pectinic acids by partial de-esterif ication of pectin in citrus
peel, The citrus peel is dispersed in water and subjected to controlled con-
ditions of alkalinity and temperature v hereby the enzymes present in the peel
cause partial de-estcrif ication of the pectin naturally occurring in the' peel.

Patent 2,4-48,818 to R, M. McCready, II, S. Gv/ens, and 7J, D. Maclay, Process of
Isolating Low-Methoxyl Pectinic Acids. Patented Sept, 7, 194-8. Method of
isolating low-methoxyl pectinic acids from aqueous solutions thereof by adding
an acid to the solution to a pH of 2 or less. The pectinic acids precipitate out
and are separated, washed, and dried.

Patent 2,457,577 to W, D. Mr.clay, A. D. Shepherd, R. H. McCready, and R. P.
Graham. Production of Low-Mcthcxyl Pectinic Acids from Aluminum-Pectin Com-
positions. Patented Dec, 28, 1948. Low-methoxyl pectins are produced by sub-
jecting an aluminum-pectin composition to partial deesterif ication by means of
an enzyme. The products are useful for preparing low-sugar fruit gels and milk
puddings and as coating materials.

Proteins, Plastics, Fibers, Etc ,

Patent 2,34-4,267 to H, C. Puoitz. Proteinous Compositions and Their Process of
Preparation. Patented March 14, 1944. Relates to the preparation of sulpha ted
proteins, particularly sulpha ted gluten. Process involves reacting the protein
-•ith chlor esulphcnic acid. Products have gelling properties and are valuable as
substitutes for the natural gums.

Patent 2,399,161 to G. H, Brother and C. II, Binkley, Process for Producing Glues
and Adhesives from Keratin Protein Materials. Patented April 30, 1946, Adhesive
made by reducing a keratin material with an alkaline sulphide solution, dispers-
ing the preduct in caustic soda and drying it. Process enables waste keratin
materials such as feathers, . animal hair, etc. to be converted into useful products,

Patent 2,425,550 to K. P. Lund pro n. Process of Making Oriented Regenerated Pro-
tein Products. Patented Aug. 12, 194-7. Process of preparing films or fibers
from protein materials. Waste keratin materials such as feathers, animal hair,

tc . . : :ay be use J as the raw notorial. The process essentially involves d is pers-
on ' the protein in a detergent solution, precipitating a protein-detergent com-
plex, forming a film or fiber therefrom by extrusion and then extracting the
film or fiber with a solvent to remove the detergent.

Potent 2,434,715 to H. S. Olcott and J. C. Lewis. Glutamic Acid-Free Protein
Hydrolysate and the Production Thereof. Patented Jan, 20, 1948. Glutamic acid
separate:! from protein hydrolysate s by heating at particular pH to convert
-iutar.ic acid into its lactam followed by extraction of the lactam. The glutamic
acid-free hydrolysate is useful as culture medium for microorganisms, particularly
for bioassay procedures.

Patent' 2,439,903 to R. A. O'Connell, Jr. Thread Advancing, Storage and Stretch-
ing Reel, Patented April 20, 1948. Device consists essentially of a reel pro-
vided with a series of endless belts arranged longitudinally. Thread is sup-
ported by bolts and caused to advance by moving belts longitudinally. Belts are
also adjustable toward or away from shaft so that thread can be stretched or
contracted while in notion. Device is useful in preparation of artificial
fibers of any type.

Patent 2,445,028 to C. B. Jones and D. K. Mecham. Method of Dispersing Keratin
Proteins with Amides and the Composition Resulting Therefrom. Patented July 13,
1948. Relates to solubilization of keratin materials such as feathers, hoof,
horn, etc. whereby to produce products which can be used for preparation of
artificial films, fibers, plastics, and the like. Process involves essentially
heating the keratin in an aqueous solution containing an amide, such as urea,
and a reducing agent, such as sodium bisulphite.

Patent 2,445,029 to C. B. Jones and D. K. Mecham. Method of Dispersing Keratin
Protein with Ammonium Thiocyanate and the Composition Resulting Therefrom.
Patented July 13, 1948. Relates to solubilization of keratin materials such as
feathers, horn, hoof, etc. whereby to obtain products which can be used for
preparation of artificial films, fibers, plastics, and the like. Process in-
volves essentially heating the keratin in an aqueous solution containing ammonium
thiocyanate and a reducing agent such as sodium bisulphite.

Patent 2,447,860 to C. B. Jones and D. K. Mecham. Method of Dispersing Keratin
Proteins and the Composition Resulting Therefrom. Patented Aug. 24, 1948. This
patent relates to solubilization of keratin materials such as feathers, horn,
hoof, etc. whereby to obtain products which can bo used for preparation of
artificial films, fibers, plastics, and the like. Process involves heating the
keratin in an aqueous solution containing guanidino and a reducing agent, such
03 sodium bisulphite.

Patent 2,454,915 to H. L. Fevold and ^. L. Dimick. Isolation of Lipovitellenin
fron Eg Yolk. Patented Nov. 30, .1943. Lipovitellenin, a new protein of high
phospholipid content is isolated from egg yolks by a process involving centri-
fugation and ether extraction of the yolks.

Patent 2,459,708 to H. P. Lundgrcn. Dispersions of Proteins in Aqueous Deter-
rents. Patented Jan. IS, 194.9. Patent c la ins expositions containing protein-
.us materials chicken feathers for instance, dispersed in an aqueous solution of
s. synthetic deterrent. These compositions are useful as spinning solutions from
which to prepare synthetic protein fibers.

Patent 2,460,980 to H. L. Fraenkel-Conrat and H. S. Olcott. Process for the
Preparation of Is ocyanate Derivatives of Proteins. Patented Feb. 8, 1949. Pro-
teins are reacted with organic is ccya nates to prepare modified protein plastics.
These plastics can be molded to form useful articles such as buttons, fountain
pen barrels, electrical equipment, etc.

Antibiotic Substances

Patent 2,438,209 to h% L. Fraenkel-Conrat, H. Humfeld, J. C. Lewis, K. P. Dimick,
and H. S. Olcott. Reaction Product of Gramicidin and Formaldehyde and Method of
Production. Patented March 23, 1948. Gramicidin, an antibiotic, is reacted with
formaldehyde to produce a derivative of decrease! hemolytic and toxic properties.

Fatcnt 2,442,452 to G. Aldorton and II. L. Fevold. Method of Isolating Lysozyme
from its Naturally Occurring Mixtures with Other Biologic Materials . Patented
June 1, 1948. Patent describes process of isolating lysozyme, a proteinous sub-
stance having bacteriolytic properties, from natural sources thereof such as egg
white. The process ' involves treatment of the egg white with an adsorbent
material such as bontonito followed by elutation of adsorbed lysozyme with an
organic base, particularly pyridine.

Patent 2,453,534 to H..S. Olcott and H. L. Fraenkel-Conrat. Process for Isolatior.
of Gramicidin. Patented Nov. 9, 1948. Patent relates to the' isolation of gram-
icidin, an antibiotic, from tyrothricin in which the gramicidin exists in admix-,
ture with tyrocidine. The isolation process involves treatment of the tyrothricir
with phosphotungstic acid to precipitate the tyrocidine and recovery of the gram-
icidin from the remaining liquid.

Patent 2,459,139 to K, P. Dimick, G. aldorton, J. C, Lewis, H. D. Lightbody, and
K, L. Fevold. Process for Extraction and Purification of Subtilin. Patented
Jan. 1G, 1949. Subtilin, an antibiotic active against the organisms which cause
anthrax, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bovine mastitis, etc., is isolated from cul-
tures of Bacillus subtilis by extraction with alcohol.

Miscellaneous

Patent 2,430,897 tc G. R. Van Atta and D. F. Houston. Process for Vapor-Phase
Dehydrochlorination, Patented Nov. 13, 1947. Invention involves conversion' of
saturated fatty acids into unsaturated fatty acids, the latter Icing useful to
prepare drying .ils. Saturated fatty acid is first chlorinated, then subjected
to dehydrochlerination in the vapor phase whereby unsaturated product is formed, j

Patent 2,443,602 to E. B. Kester and H. M, Preusser. Glycidyl Esters. Patented
Sept. 7, 1948. Process of preparing glycidyl esters by reacting a salt of a
fatty acid, for example lauric, stearic, oleic, etc., with an excess of epichlor-
hydrin in the presence of an alkaline material. Products are useful as plasti-
cizers for resins, particularly polyvinyl butyral resins.

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Patent 2,457,560 to E. F. Jansen and H, Lineweaver . Pectic Enzyme Preparation
Fortified with Pectinesterase . Patented Doc. 28, -••1943. Pec tig enzyme se-
parations such as those used in clarification of fruit juices and wine£rarc
fortified by adding pectinesterase. The fortified enzyme preparation has
greatly enhanced clarifying properties.

Patent 2,458,171 to E. F. Janson, R. Jang, and L. It. MacDonncll. Isolation of
Acetylosterr.se from Citrus Waste, Patented Jan. 4> 1949. Patent discloses
technique for isolating . acotylesterc.se , an enzyme which catalyzes hydrolysis
of acetic acid esters, from citrus waste, for example orange peel.

Patents, of the Enzyme Research Division (located at
Western Regional Research Laboratory)

Patent 2,011,465 to A. K. Bails and V,". 3% Hale. Process for Inhibiting the
Discoloration of Fruits and Vegetables. Patented Aug. 13, 1935. The dis-
coloration of cut fruits or vegetables is inhibited by applying a sulphydryl
compound to cut surface of the product. Suitable sulphydryl compounds are
cysteine, glutathione, etc. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,054*213 to A. K. Balls and T. L. Swenson. Process for the Alteration
of Egg White. Patented Sept. 15, 1936. Process of thinning thick eg;? white
so that it can be spray dried. Process involves treating the thick egg white
with the enzyme ontcrckinase . (Dedicated.) • ..

Patent 2,062,387 to A., A. Balls and T. L. Swenson. Process for the Alteration
of Egg Ahite. Patented Dec. 1, 1936. Process of thinning thick egg white so
that it can be spray-dried. This is accomplished by treating the thick egg"
white with benzoyl- glycine. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,073,411 to A. A. Balls and T. L. Swenson. Process of Producing Thin
Egg Ahite. Patented March 9, 1937. Fresh egg white is treated with a pro-
teolytic enzyme, such as trypsin, whereby the thick egg white present in the'
fresh egg white is thinned. Thus the product is rendered suitable for spray
drying. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,103,443 to a. K. Balls and I. S. Hale. Method for the Softening of
Dough. Patented Dec. 23, 1937. Method of softening baker's dough by incor-
porating glutathione therein. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,110,613 to T. L. Swenson. Process for Reducing Foam, of Fermented Egg
Vhite to Liquid albumin. Patented March 6, 1938s. The foam, which is produced
J. aria.; the treatment of egg white with a proteolytic enzyme, is converted into
liquid albumin by treating it with pepsin, papain, or bromclin. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,257,218 to A. A. Balls, R. Linewoayer, and S. Schwimmer. Process for
the Preparation of Papain. Patented Sept. 30, 1941. Process involves extract-
ing the latex from papayas, adding salt and then drying the resulting mixture
to a paste. The product contains more of the original activity, of the latex
and retains it longer than the usual preparations.

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Patent 2,27A,120 to A, X Balls, A. G. Kevorkian, and F. E. Arana. Process for
Curiae Vanilla Beans. : Patented Feb. 24, 194-2. Improved process for curing
vanilla beans wherein the beans are frozen then thawed. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,313,504 to k. K. Balls and S. Hale. Sulphydryl Compounds Obtained
fror; Flour. Patented March 9, 1943. Process involves extraction of a flour,
such as wheat, lima bean, cottonseed, . or peanut flours, with organic solvents
to: separate sulphydryl compounds. These compounds nay be used as oxidizing or
re Pacing agents, depending on the state in which, they exist, in chemical
operations .

xatent 2,313,375 to E. F. Jansen and A. II. Balls. Proteolytic Enzyme Process.
Patented March 16, 1943. Isolation of chymopapain from papaya fruit. Chymo-
papain is en enzyme which is useful for tenderizing neat. (Dedicated.)

Patent 2,366,952 to A. K. Bells, W. S. Hale, and T. H. Harris. Proteinous
Material. Patented Jan. 9, 1945. Sulphydryl compounds are isolated- from
cereal grains by an extraction process, then subjected to hydrolysis and pur-
ification procedures. The product is highly toxic to certain bacteria and
yeasts and is thus useful as a germicide.

Patent 2,381,421 to k. K. Balls and If, S. Hale. Method of Treating Cereal
Grains. Patented Aug, 7, 1945. Process of storing grain which involves con-
tacting the grain in bulk storage aith an atmosphere containing a low concen-
tration of ethylene gas (about 1 part ethylene per 10,000 to 100,000 parts of
air). By such procedure the tendency of the grain to undergo spontaneous
heating is prevented. , ■ .

Patent 2,434,874 to I. 1ST. Tucker and A. II. Balls. Separation of Starch and
Protein in Wheat Grain Products and Extraction of Diastase Therefrom. Patented '
Jan. 20, 1948. Invention relates to isolation of starch, gluten, and diastase
from cereal products such as wheat flour. Thus wheat flour is contacted with
an aqueous solution of a sulphite salt. Air is then beaten into the mixture
causing the gluten to rise to the top of the mixture as a scum. The starch
particles settle to the bottom while the diastase remains dissolved in the
liquid phase.

Patent 2,436,699 to P. G. Rose. Nitrogenous Diacyl-Glycer ©phosphates. Patented
Feb. 24, 1943. Patent describes methods for preparing amincethyl esters of
diacyl--: lycercphosphoric acids by a process involving reaction of a diacyl -
glycer ophosphcryl chloride with carbobenzoxyaminoethanol. The products are
useful as emulsifying, water-binding, and dispersing agents.

Patent 2,4A7,715 to Y». G. Pose. Esters of Di-^cyl Glycerophosphates. Pa tented
~ug. 24, 1948. Patent describes method ?£ preparing aminoethyl esters of di-
acyl glycerophosphoric acids by a process involving reaction of a diacyl gly-
cerophosphoryl chloride with hydrexyethyl phthalimide. The products are useful
as emulsifying, water-binding, and dispersing agents.

Patent 2,457,754 to I. "... Tucker and A, II. Balls. Process of Extracting
Diastase, Patented Dec. 23, 1948. The enzyme, diastase, is isolated from wheat
products by extraction with aqueous sulphite solutions. The diastase is useful
in fermentation processes, for example to produce alcohol from cereal grains.

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Patents of the Pharnaeology Laboratory (located at
bosterr^ Rj^ional J^Ssearcji^Labcrator^y)

Patent 2,035,794 to F. DoEds, J. 0. Thcne.s, and C. W. Eddy, Urinary Antiseptic.

Patonto 1 July 6, 1937. Patent covers use of phenothiazine as a urinary anti-
septic,

Patent 2,162,636 to F. DeEds, C. V»'. Eddy, ana J. 0. Thor.as. Methods for the
Preparation of Thionol, Patented June 13, 1939. Patent describes method for
preparing thionol, a urinary antiseptic, which involves oxidation of pheno-
thiazine with hydrogen peroxide.

Patents of the U. S. Natural Rubber Research Station,
Sc linas , Calif,

Patent 2, 412 to E. P. Jones. Recovering Rubber from Guayuio Shrub. Patented
Jan. 13, 1945. jnprovenent in procedure for separating rubber from puayule
shrub "which involves oiillino the shrub in its freshly harvested state.

Patent 2,4-59,369 to Howard Tint and C. W. Murray. Method of Extracting Rubber
fron Plants. Patented' Jan. 18, 194-9. Guayule shrub is extracted with an
orranic solvent to remove rosins and the treated shrub then .railed to separate
the rubber. Rcaoval of resins increases quality of rubber obtained.

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